Reviews (page 5 of 8)
what the hell this bangs
“The Wall Street Shuffle” is the most commercial sounding anti-capitalist song I’ve ever heard. It’s very strange. “Hotel” is just “Me and Julio Down By the Schoolyard”. Completely able to tune out the is whole album if I so chose. When I chose to tune in, I enjoyed what I heard, but I guess not enough to keep me interested for too long. The production is good. Original and unique. I enjoy it. Lyrics, instrumentation, and vocals are all fine. Ultimately, I’m left feeling unimpressed. 3/5
I definitely know of this band. Have listened to a track or two. Interested to see what an album sounds like.
I don't know if the stereotypical theatre kid existed in the 70s, but if they did, this was probably their bible. Sounds like a bunch of theatre kids making music for other theatre kids.
Like, a light 3? More of a 2.75 but I found this unexpected and interesting for the most part, even if I didn’t vibe with all of it. I always thought 10cc was a classic rock group but this is weirder and more experimental and often intentionally funny?? Like, full on comedy songs! Plus it was blessedly short! It’s an interesting little curio!
Some doodling additional sounds can’t make this insipid record interesting
This was fun. I've heard one track by this band before, but I didn't actually know their name. I never would have guessed this is a 2007 album, the sound is very 70s-coded, and the whole album works really well as a unit. It's definitely something that's up my alley and I will be returning to more of 10cc's discography.
More brit pop.... So this isn't good to me. I think they were going for funny or clever at the very least. Yet at best I raised and eyebrow and went, why is this on the list? I've now listened to it twice and I still question it. Is there some band that attributes 10cc as why they became a band? I'm just not hearing it.
This was good, reminiscent of the Beatles a little bit. I think it was catchy and what not. Definitely more enjoyable than some of the albums I've heard while doing this.
I was excepting and hoping for some deep cut Yacht Rock a la "I'm Not in Love." What I got seems to be the original cast soundtrack of an off-broadway show that opened and closed on the same night in 1974. Things have changed for me and 10cc.
Nope, didn’t really like this. There was so much going on but it all felt very incoherent. They try too much to really succeed in anything. Some songs were just outright annoying, like Hotel and Clockwork Creep.
I mean this affectionately: W h a t.
Kind of a cross between Steely Dan and Frank Zappa, but only the annoying parts.
blah.
There's a fine line between whimsical and goofy and they fell off it within 2 minutes. Extremely annoying.
Bro. Every song is perfect zero fat. They are so unique and the production has aged so well. Seriously one of my favorite bands ever and I think there is an argument this is there best album.
Fiiiire. Not my fav 10cc but gosh they’re just so fuckin good. They can do no wrong none at all.
Stupid.
Not what I expected. The only 10cc I know is very ethereal sounding. This is much more traditional pop/rock. Pretty good.
Never heard any of this before! Lots of silly songs here but I'm sure that was the intention and it's nice to hear from a group that isn't too self serious. I probably would not listen to it again personally, but I can see why others would.
Никак
alright
Mid
4/5
10cc is a funny band to me. I had heard of Godley and Creme from their mega-hit "Cry", and I had heard of 10cc's "I'm Not In Love", but never really dug into their other albums and music. So after listening to this album, I kind of liked it. It was definitely going for a prog-rock vibe but seemed a bit too glam rock for that. Overall, not terrible but just OK in my book. 2.5/5 = 3.
This is a high 3 for me, almost a 4. Surprised the hell out of me. Every song here feels wholly unique from the last, for better and for worse. The only reason I’m not giving this 4 stars is because more often than not, I don’t think the ideas work very well. However, the songs I do like, I REALLY REALLY like. “The Wall Street Shuffle”, “The Worst Band In The World” and “Baron Samedi” are all fantastic songs. It’s always super cool diving into a band and album I’ve genuinely never heard of before in any capacity. If there were more songs on this album I absolutely loved, this would be an easy 4 for me, but more than anything I think it was cool just how many different ideas got tried out at all. It made for a consistently fun listening experience during my day whenever the album would restart. I may explore more of this band in the future.
Boring. Unremarkable. 2
Some songs were Zappa-esque but otherwise nothing too special. Wonder what album was booted from the list to make space for this one
Legitimately offended by this Best Song: N/A Rating: 2/10 (Horrible) Stars: 1/5
Didn't really love this but it was okay
This is a decent album. I'd never heard of 10cc, but they sound very much like the 70s. I'm going 3/5 because it's not bad, but not great either.
Nice pop album
not my favorite honestly. it’s fine tho!
This is like a less weird version of Zappa. I dig it.
Definitely had some interesting tunes. 5/10
reactivated your account, penis :3
Soft rock with progressive touch. Sounds bit like Paul McCartney and Wings and very much a product of it's time. The very dry 70's soundscape and the mix is technically really enjoyable. On the other hand the songs on the album are quite mediocre nonsense pop with a slight progressive twist. Maybe the album is worth 2,5 stars, but more leaning towards 2 than 3.
Rating: 6/10 Experimental pop that sounds pretty good as well.
I've heard of 10cc before, but I don't think I've ever heard any of their music before. I have no idea what to expect from this album, but here's hoping that I'll enjoy it! Well, that was certainly a bizarre experience, and not in a good way. After listening to this, I can't believe that the top review for this album isn't "more like shit music." This album sounded like it wanted to be competent power pop, but each song was a strange potpourri of influences and sounds. "The Wall Street Shuffle" starts off with bluesy guitar riffs, before switching gears to 10cc's stab at what sounds like baroque pop for the chorus. Choices were certainly made on this album. The songs that had a consistent sound were bland or just unpleasant to listen to. I didn't find anything particularly musically competent on this album; this was a mess from start to finish. I definitely wouldn't come back to this album, and I'm glad I'm finished with it.
#549. I've never listened to 10cc before, but for some reason I thought they were like some kind of new wave or electronica or something. Turns out they were just making regular radio rock the whole time. This album is a bit goofy at times, but it's pretty decent overall. 3/5: acceptable
I enjoyed this sound. Reminiscent of some of the 60’s and 70’s British rock
vibey but weird
Ooh big fan. To get it out of the way, there were some songs that felt a tad cheesy or much, but overall this was real good. I think it had the perfect mixture of trying something new in a successful way but not too much that it’s like wow slow down. I really liked this.
I'm sure I'm not the only one initially wishing "I'm Not In Love" was here, but ok obscure (for 2025) 10cc album show me the way... Hmmm this is immediately musically intriguing in a mid-Roxy period way. These 70s bands could all freaking play and write complex pop songs. I'm not sure there was anyone like these guys - maybe Sparks? This kind of musical creativity is just not matched today; sounds like a "back in my day" treatise but seriously - just listen to the first minute *alone* of "The Wall Street Shuffle" - the arrangement, the chord changes, dynamics - I miss this in too much of modern music. Having said that ... That's the good, and that creativity does carry through most if not all of the album, but here's the bad: the humour is so forced and frankly terrible. Outside of maybe The Tubes and *some* Zappa, attempts at being humourous usually just end up lame (e.g. "The Worst Band In The World") or worse. Is Oh Effendi (aka "Oh Offensive?") dumb or anti-arabic or just both? So upon 2nd listen I hear a similar energy and controlled insanity to similar-era albums from Sparks, but not as many quality songs. Overall it starts strong and peters out over the last few songs but these lyrics are too ditracting - melody almost always wins out for me and there's a ton of complex melody here to re-listen to maybe 5 songs but HAVE I MENTIONED I NOTICE THE LYRICS. It's a bad thing. I'd listen to a few tracks again for sure but might be a slog to get through the entire album... 6/10 3 stars.
It was an album! 4/10
Fun album, with some fun songs, but also some boring ones
Here we have Steely Dan’s less serious cousin, Irony Dan.
Nice
Enjoyed it more than I thought I would
Moderately painful…weird proggy operatic stuff from a two-hit wonder band from the 70s. Probably should be a 1, but it’s kind of interesting so glad that I gave it a listen but once is enough, so this gets a very charitable 2.
Goofy, but fun lyrics. Alright rock from the era
Wallstreet Shuffle is a great song. We enjoyed this one.
It's an OK early 70's pop/rock album. It reminds me a little of the Nilson Schmilsson album (which was released 3 years earlier) for the fact that it's eclectic and at time kind of goofy.
Like Queen without Mercury's range or pathos, but instead replaced by a self-congratulatory sense of humor. A bit of a shame since some of the musicianship undergirding all the "cleverness" isn't bad.
I don't need music to be reverential, & think silliness and irreverence can very much have a place in all genres. But the silliness here was just annoying, like a comic who's trying too hard & then gets made when you don't laugh.
Fun, good performances, but too cheesy for my tastes.
This is the same band that did "The Things We Do For Love" late 70's pop hit... this earlier album is far different. It was fine with a blend of Beatles and Simon & Garfunkel like jams. Hotel is actually really fun. I have to take it down a star because their bio's first line explains what the band name means. Gross.
Nerd rock. Didn't enjoy it especially
Ok. Wow. There's a lot going on here. So many time signature changes, vocal layers, song sections and subjects. No doubt these guys can write and produce completely original tunes but for me the album was all over the place.
I was very impressed with this album. It has two of my favorite things: it has a lot of variety and it has a reasonable runtime. I wasn’t blown away by every track and there was like a few tracks that weren’t as strong as others. But this made me look deeper into this band and they are definitely interesting. That being said by the next day I had forgotten most of the songs on this album. Still enjoyed it but wasn’t life changing.
# 438 : 18/03/2025 : Not as bad as I thought it would be. I found it rather happy and catchy in parts. Not too shabby.
Definitely a funky album. Not sure if I can get down with it
WORKINONIT
10cc is cool
Wel leuk, maar ze hebben beter.
Kept me interested, mainly because it was all over the place. More of a concept album and probably the reason why it’s been sampled by others. Liked the worst band in the world sonically.
It all sounds pretty fun, I was surprised to see such a high play count for Wall Street Shuffle compared to the rest.
Before recently coming across 10cc on the music lists I’ve been working through, I hadn’t heard of them, but I really enjoyed this album. These guys blends Art Rock, Prog Rock, and Glam Rock, all within a pop structure. The music is playful, lighthearted, and has plenty of tongue-in-cheek moments. Even though it feels quirky and fun, it still showcases inventive and skilled musicianship. If you’re into bands like Frank Zappa, B-52’s, Devo, or Ween, this album should definitely be on your radar.
Until now the only thing I have ever heard from 10cc was "I'm Not In Love" which isn't on this album unfortunately. I now realize that as good as that song is it's not a great representation of this band's sound. These guys are wacky and I love it. I'm surprised by the relatively low rating. This album is fun! 10cc is very humorous especially on songs like the self deprecating "The Worst Band In The World" and my personal favorite "Clockwork Creep". I could see this rating go up in the future. Favorite track: Clockwork Creep 7cc/10cc
Bit of a crazy album.. never knew what was gonna happen next!! The Worst Band in the World had some pretty incredible sounds but kinda annoying vox/lyrics lol
Weird but also kinda boring
this was a really weird album lol... never encountered this band! funny ones
It’s fine. More unique than a lot of the other stuff, I guess.
Was the project to write an album where every song is a new genre? Strange listen. I don't think this is good but it isn't done poorly. I don't want to relisten.
Conspiracy theory: There is a rich family that owns a lot of coconuts paying to have songs made about coconuts constantly. There are Queen comparisons, but the vocals just aren't as strong and the transitions feel jarring at times. I might try and dig deeper someday just for insanity reasons.
Sounds a lot like a lot of other bands but I just didnt like this fusion. Glam-prog sounds like my nightmare too
This is the type of album where you say" I do not get it" and a fan of the band would than say you are too dumb to get it. Well ..... I am too dumb.
This album is fine. Nothing to really dislike about it but not a whole lot of moments to like either. A couple of times I found myself enjoying a part of a song but it was short lived. Not really sure it needs to be on this list. 5.25/10 (2.625/5)
I’m glad 10cc exist. They do some mad and interesting stuff. I like to listen closely. But is it great? No.
⭐⭐ Not for me
Meh the hits are enjoyable but a whole album felt a bit like a slog
Wall Street Jungle isch sch sehr bekannt. Da wird u.a. de Howard Hughes besunge. Dä isch genial und irr gsii (und riich). Spannende Mänsch: The Aviator Villsiitigs Album, gfallt mer. Da bisch im Dschungel (Hotel) oder gschtresst (Clock). Und Doro Warlock hät glaub Teil vo Somewhere in Hollywood kopiert (Deep inside my heart - Für immer).
wall street shuffle super funny und super schön?? ich kenn vo ihne mume i'm not in love, seb findi hammer schön. das isch etz recht rockig aber imne laid back song und d idee schiined z sprudle. worst band in the world au umwieder chillo aber meega geili chords und wieder eaaasy funny. hahahah hotel isch super. mega weirds intro und denn funny time. ich ha huuere freud. yankee go home? checki nöd. egal funny. alti wildi manne tönt noch fool on the holl bitz? aaah und d bgvs wie in im mot in love! uuuh zweistimmigs giti solo uuuuuh! geil! die sieche sind huuuere guet. clockwork creep slappt heert. silly love au insaaane geil. ELO vor ELO. cha gar nöd so viel sege es isch afoch meega guet. somewhere in hollywood au fuuucking geil holy mueter vo jesus christus. baron samedi au wieder 11 millione idee und meeega geili sounds. sacri illiac au wieder viel z catchy und z guet gspielt für en joke song. oh effendi sun shines out of your ass höhö. funny. WAS SO HÖRTS UF. füfi. füfi. fucking geil.
bi 10cc mussi sofort ah mario kart denke hahaha hmm wall street shuffle findi na funny abwr suchli nervig HAHAH worst band in the world findi huuere lustig, es tönt wiene verarschig vo all dene 60erjahr-bands? old wild man het sehr es geils solo, de rest isch whatever clockwork creep isch suuper, so beach boys mässigi bgvs, han scho e gueti ziit hans gfühl will sie lustig und chli over the top sind, hetmer s lied entweder gern oder nöd und momentan sind die positive in überzahl ahh und s albumcover isch seehr geil somewhere in hollywood isch unironisch es schöns lied BSRON SAMEDI ISCH EN ABSOLUE BANGER di triibend perkussion und es erinneret mi chli ah talking heads hii und daa ghöri au en glimpse beatles? okay jz hani wall street shuffle scho au gern hahaha fuck wird das es 5i??? bins jz am morge nomal am durrelose zum chönne entscheide, öbs es 4i oder 5i wird, und clockwork creep isch eifach sooo cool hahah und hotel hani bin erste mal lose chli z nervig gfunde aber han dasmal richtig gueti luune übercho bsron samedi isch SO FUCKING GUET FOOOIIIIIIFFF
I enjoyed it, though it didn't have any particular standouts that I know and love 10cc for. Instrumentals were fun and interesting, vocal work was fit sonically, but didn't hook me. 'Old Wild Men' was my fave.
Completely disjointed Avant Pop.not totally awful but couldn't get into it with the different things tried on the album.
I had a hard time getting into this one. It just felt too goofy to be taken seriously, but too serious to be funny. Left it for a day and when I came back it sounded even worse.
Never heard of this band. It kind of reminds me of a British version of what Tenacious D came to be. Just a silly combination of genres breaking the 3rd wall, making jokes, and imitating some of the popular sounds of the time. Was it perfect? By no means. But its was interesting enough for me to give it two listens today.
I quite liked this one.
Not much to say here other that it just doesn’t really do it for me. Chuckin it in a box that says “adequate classic rock”
Какая-то хренатень
Fun!!
Hokey as shit.
First song is a banger but the rest of the album was not so good..
I loved the first track but it didn’t keep my attention throughout
Couldn't be bothered
Is there such a thing as a guilty pleasure? If yes, then I would describe 10cc as mine….good album, enjoyed it in a nostalgic kind of way.
Probably more fun than I thought Musically entertaining yet overwrought
10cc's *Sheet Music* (1974) is widely regarded as one of the most inventive and eclectic albums of its time. It showcases the band's unique blend of humor, musical sophistication, and experimental pop, solidifying their reputation as one of the most creative acts of the 1970s. Below is an in-depth review focusing on its lyrics, music, production, themes, influence, and a balanced assessment of its strengths and weaknesses. ## **Lyrics** The lyrics on *Sheet Music* are a standout feature, characterized by their wit, satire, and storytelling. The band masterfully blends humor with social commentary: - **"The Wall Street Shuffle"** critiques corporate greed and capitalism with biting sarcasm. Its sharp wordplay mirrors the financial world's cutthroat nature. - **"Clockwork Creep"** is a darkly comedic narrative told from the perspective of a bomb aboard a plane. This unconventional storytelling highlights 10cc's knack for quirky yet thought-provoking content. - **"Somewhere in Hollywood"** paints vivid cinematic imagery, reflecting on fame and disillusionment in the entertainment industry. - Tracks like **"Hotel"** and **"Oh Effendi"** explore themes of cultural stereotypes and international politics with clever irony. The lyrics often oscillate between absurdity and poignancy, showcasing the band's ability to tackle serious topics with a tongue-in-cheek approach. This lyrical dexterity sets *Sheet Music* apart from many contemporaries. ## **Music** Musically, *Sheet Music* is a kaleidoscope of genres. It incorporates elements of pop, rock, funk, vaudeville, ska, and even avant-garde influences. The album's diversity reflects the collaborative genius of its four members—Eric Stewart, Graham Gouldman, Kevin Godley, and Lol Creme—who split into different songwriting pairings to maximize creativity. - **"Silly Love"** is a high-energy track with driving guitar riffs and playful rhythms that parody love songs. - **"The Worst Band in the World"** features intricate chord progressions and layered harmonies that mockingly celebrate mediocrity in music. - **"Old Wild Men"** is a poignant ballad with melancholic tones that reflect on aging rock stars. - **"Baron Samedi"** incorporates Caribbean rhythms with eerie undertones, showcasing the band's adventurous arrangements. The instrumentation is equally impressive. From Lol Creme's innovative use of the Gizmo (a guitar effects device) to Eric Stewart's slide guitar work and Kevin Godley's dynamic drumming, every track brims with meticulous detail. The album balances catchy melodies with complex structures, ensuring it remains engaging throughout. ## **Production** The production on *Sheet Music*, helmed by Eric Stewart at Strawberry Studios, is exemplary for its time. The album boasts: - **Dynamic soundscapes:** Instruments are carefully placed within the stereo field for maximum impact. Each track feels immersive and three-dimensional. - **Crisp clarity:** The mix emphasizes both individual instruments and vocal harmonies without sacrificing cohesion. - **Attention to detail:** From transient attacks to tight basslines, every sonic element has been meticulously crafted. This level of production quality has drawn comparisons to landmark albums like *Dark Side of the Moon*. The sound "jumps out of the speakers," making it an audiophile favorite. ## **Themes** Thematically, *Sheet Music* explores a wide range of topics: 1. **Satire and Parody:** Many tracks poke fun at societal norms or industry practices (e.g., "The Worst Band in the World"). 2. **Mortality and Aging:** Songs like "Old Wild Men" reflect on the passage of time and its impact on artists. 3. **Cultural Commentary:** Tracks such as "Hotel" and "Oh Effendi" delve into issues of identity and geopolitics. 4. **Absurdism:** The band often embraces surreal storytelling (e.g., "Clockwork Creep"), adding a layer of unpredictability to their music. This thematic richness ensures that *Sheet Music* remains intellectually stimulating while retaining its accessibility. ## **Influence** *Sheet Music* has had a lasting impact on both pop music and experimental rock: - It demonstrated how humor could coexist with sophisticated songwriting without undermining artistic integrity. - The album influenced later artists who sought to blend genre experimentation with mainstream appeal. For instance, J Dilla sampled "The Worst Band in the World" on his track "Workinonit," highlighting its enduring relevance. - Its production techniques set benchmarks for clarity and spatial arrangement in rock music. Many consider *Sheet Music* 10cc's definitive work—a precursor to their later successes like *The Original Soundtrack*. ## **Pros** 1. **Eclecticism:** The album offers a diverse range of styles without feeling disjointed. 2. **Innovative Lyrics:** Witty, satirical, and thought-provoking lyrics elevate it beyond standard pop fare. 3. **Exceptional Production:** The sound quality is rich, dynamic, and ahead of its time. 4. **Collaborative Genius:** Each band member brings unique strengths to create a cohesive yet multifaceted record. 5. **Replay Value:** With its layered arrangements and lyrical depth, the album rewards repeated listens. ## **Cons** 1. **Quirkiness Overload:** For some listeners, the album's eccentricity may feel excessive or alienating. 2. **Lack of Cohesion:** While eclecticism is a strength, it can also make the album feel less unified compared to more thematically consistent works like *How Dare You?*. 3. **Era-Specific References:** Certain lyrical themes (e.g., financial critiques in "The Wall Street Shuffle") may resonate less with modern audiences unfamiliar with 1970s contexts. ## Conclusion *Sheet Music* is a masterpiece that encapsulates 10cc's unique blend of humor, innovation, and musical prowess. Its witty lyrics, genre-defying compositions, and impeccable production make it an essential listen for fans of intelligent pop-rock. While its eccentricity may not appeal to everyone, it remains a landmark album that continues to influence artists across genres. For those seeking an adventurous yet accessible musical journey, *Sheet Music* offers an unparalleled experience—one that challenges conventions while delivering pure entertainment.
Maybe not the worst band in the world, but definitely not good.
Not my favorite kind of noodling. I won’t be returning to this.
Not bad
Confident strumming With light hearted song lyrics Performed in glam lights
While this is a very quirky record, I love 10cc’s sound. It is unlike any other band. On this band’s early record, I dig the guitar tones, interesting song structures, and melodic hooks. It’s not super compelling all the way through, but still a great record.
This sounds familiar, but I don’t think I’ve ever heard them. “Hotel” starts strange and trippy and then sounds like “uncle John’s band”. I didn’t like this when it started, but songs keep popping up that grab my attention. The production of this album does not sound like 1974. It feels pretty modern. This gets so weird at times. Sometimes it feels like when tv writers who are out of touch write songs for an “era”.
Corny AF
There’s a difference between Smart Dumb™️ and Dumb Smart™️. The former describes a work of art that is well-versed in its influences specifically and its medium’s history generally, and while it does take a legitimately inventive approach to its output and does contain legitimate depth that could be analyzed by academics for centuries, on the surface, it feels like a complete goof, or worse, culturally vapid, which often leads to it being dismissed within intellectual circles, at least until it gains a cultural reevaluation or recontextualization via reference from another, less shallow source, which is the more likely situation because Smart Dumb™️ typically has a long and widespread influence. The latter, of course, is what people are thinking about when they claim something or someone is pseudo-intellectual, and while it may have initial hype as a type of return to greatness among cultural elitists, time reveals it to be what it always was– middle-brow– and its messaging, articulation, and general impact are reassessed as one-dimensional, leaving no lasting legacy and overpopulating Used Stores across the nation. Smart Dumb™️ can be anything from Jane Austen to Flavor of Love to Charli XCX to Andy Warhol; Dumb Smart™️ is your Jonathan Franzens, your M.I.As, your House, your Chuck Close or Jeff Koons. There’s often a tinge of misogyny, homophobia, and racism layered under the dismissal of Smart Dumb™️, but that’s not exclusively the driver. Still, the difference between your Dumb Smart™️ co-worker with a Ph.D. and the lip filler queen making hyperpop in her bedroom make the point legible, at least for me. Both have value in an anthropological sense, but there’s something fascinating about Smart Dumb™️ media that gives it longevity, that keeps it fresh decades after it was made. Sheet Music is maybe the most Smart Dumb™️ album on this list. (At least until the new edition inevitably tacks on Charli XCX’s Brat.) If you think 10cc is only “Not In Love”– the sappy one, not the ‘80s one from Canada that was eventually covered by Crystal Castles– Sheet Music will blow your goddamn mind and leave the remnants splattered across your walls. It is so fucking strange, and so unexpectedly weird. Every single time I thought I had this album pinned down, it did a donut in the parking lot of my mind and swerved into brand new territory. 10cc are never bound by genre, and actually, sometimes, not even bound by technology or the western tradition of composition. There are albums before this that were experimental that 10cc are clearly influenced by (e.g. Zappa, Rundgren, John Cale’s Paris 1919, even Wing’s Band on the Run, etc.), and later albums that strike this iron in a less ADHD/schizophrenic manner, like Queen’s A Night At The Opera, but Sheet Music threads the needle in such a specific way, finding a perfect balance between fucking around, not giving a fucking, and fucking killing it. And look, I wasn’t sold immediately on this. The first minute of “The Wall Street Shuffle” is so chaotic that I almost did turn it off. I can be really back-and-forth on art pop, and can find it sometimes pretentious and/or like it’s being too quirky only for the sake of being quirky. And Sheet Music can kind of give that vibe. Honestly, the reason I stuck it out was because of “The Worst Band in the World,” which is song that basically deconstructs mid-20th century popular song structure and leaves you with nothing once its over. I, however, recognized it mostly from J Dilla’s Donuts, so that initial strangeness I probably would have felt was something I’d already overcome two decades ago while listening to Donuts. From there, I think it was a lot easier for me to figure out 10cc’s vibe, and their general modus operandi. Whether it’s lyrical satire like the opener, or satirical storytelling like “Clockwork Creep,” or parodying the epic rock opera with “Somewhere in Hollywood,” or the tropical lounge of ‘70s bands on “Hotel,” or the middle America vibe of the Eagles and America’s “A Horse With No Name” on “Oh Effendi,” or the hippie joke of “The Sacro-lliac,” 10cc came to critique everyone and also make the best music they can across the board. They spend all of Sheet Music being economical: every lyric, every note, every second is used to maximize the critique. It’s not just goofing around, it’s purposeful. The more I sat with this record, the more I became fascinated with how they were subverting things, and the more I fell in love. Yet, on the surface, Sheet Music just looks like a complete goof. It initially feels like they have no right being on this list, and probably never should’ve gotten a record deal. If you’re not diving in head first, this album can sound like it took no talent, like it has nothing to say, like it is vapid. It feels unpolished and unprofessional and like a silly little gag by a bunch of bimbos who should’ve never been allowed within 500 feet of a guitar shop. Because it’s Smart Dumb™️. In fact, it’s some of the best Smart Dumb™️ I’ve ever encountered in my life. And that’s why I have fallen very deeply in love with this record, very quickly playing it nonstop for the last two days, and why I anticipate that I will be rating it very highly by the time I finish this project.
A collection of some of my favorite pop rock tunes sandwiched between a mediocre yet seemingly popular opener and, to a lesser extent, closer. Every track from A2 to B4 is this odd Beach Boys/Frank Zappa crossover where you can't quite tell how seriously the band is taking it, but in that aspect it rivals Sparks (my favorite band) in its eclectic take on pop music, not to the levels of parody where 10cc feel like they're better than the music on the radio, but rather, are so appreciatory of the music that they were built upon, that the jabs feel more in good fun. Those Beach Boys harmonies and manic bridges are not laughing at, but with, the 60s, and I think that's not only intriguing, but 10cc does it very well here. Clockwork Creep keeps me moving, and Somewhere in Hollywood should be one of the great progressive pop songs. Alas, it is not, and that's a shame, because it and many other songs here are amazing. Sure, it is sort of the same shtick as The Mothers of Invention, but the 70s sensibilities add a lot to the sound, and give it that extra kick to be something grand. Add in a hint of glam, and you have something that really is a hit with me. I find that opening track too "hard rock" to get the feeling I desire, so it is a shame that's considered the hit here, and there are certainly some lyrics that haven't aged the best (Hotel, in particular, has some eyebrow raises in it) but it tends to be so fun I can't help but enjoy it all. Just a great record, I love their voices. I'm worried not much else in their discography has all the right stuff like this one, but at least I have this to enjoy. Man, May 1974 was a good month for music!
Pretty good for novelty songs, but still, novelty songs.
Didn’t get it. Liked the first song but thought the rest was pretty rubbish,
👎🏻
This was an interesting album - I liked listening to it as a whole, but I'm not sure there's a single song that I'd ever play on its own
Chyba sluchalem, ale nie pamietam. Lekkie, wesołe rytmy, słabo zapada w pamięć i brak chęci powtórek.
Eeeehhhhhhhhh. Fun at times. Annoying at times.
Wall Street Shuffle and Worst Band In The World were a great way to start the album. Then after Hotel it starts to get sort of weird. Then Clockwork Creep makes it very weird. Even with the weirdness, I thought the music and production were really good throughout. Feels like a solid 3 and would've merited consideration for a 4 if I liked another song or two from the back half of this album.
Not bad
I'd never heard of 10cc before but this was a lot of fun! Very Zappa-esque in the way they jammed a ton of ideas into each song, most of which feel unusual. And they also clearly didn't take themselves too seriously.
I kind of love how this record is just a mishmash of half baked ideas that never fully culminate into a cohesive album. It has a lot of the same ingredients as a great Queen record, just without the mainstream appeal or same production value. But I always like an album that keeps you on your toes. The downside is that not much sticks with you. Ah well, time to go listen to Donuts again!
One of the most fun and delightful albums on this list; each song is a distinct little curio all living within the album’s quirky ecosystem.
Love that they go for it. Goofy and bizarre in places. But I’d rather listen to something like this than an album that’s 15 versions of the same song. 3/5
Knew walstreet shuffle. Rest is good too.
Wonderful album! you could hear things will come like Queen or Jellyfish. 4,5 stars
Good listening. Enjoyed it. Nice mix of musical instruments and styles
Sheet music is of course something Houmous and Chutney refuse to use. We focus entirely on the moment. A producers nightmare. Which incidently was also the title of our 23rd studio album. A semi rehearsed, semi improvised album that was over 3 hours long. Will be very surprised if that doesn’t appear on this list. 4.3
annoyingly in love with its own brilliance
I had no idea who these guys were until I listened to their top tracks. Obviously familiar with I'm Not in Love. I really want to like them. They're weird and silly and clearly having a good time. I did enjoy some of the tracks but it wasn't enough for me.
The Wall Street Shuffle
3.5
Wow. Silly
This was some of the most pop/rock from the 70s. Really unique songs with a ton of character, each song has so many shifts and unexpected elements it keeps you on your toes and moving the whole time.
Didnt really catch my attention- just seemed like generic 70s rock
Goofy
Goeie band. Lekker rustige pop-rock muziek. "The Wall Street Shuffle" klinkt heerlijk en de rest is prima te luisteren.
Kinda forgetable, only 2 stars was because i had heard wall street shuffle
Music was ok, some of the lyrics were a bit weird
It was hard not to award this album 5 stars, given its historical significance as the only album on this list that El G has seen performed live in it's entirety by a cover band. However, despite it's cultural status, it was bang average for me.
This is one of the only albums on here ( if not the only) I have seen performed live in its entirety. admittedly it wasn't all the original band. I will be going back to it again at some point.
Sheet music? More like Shite Music. Only joking it was aight. The big black mama in a tree was a choice.
First time hearing this band. It's pretty good, they definitely have a sense of humor about themselves, but it doesn't veer quite into parody territory. Musically this was mildly progressive 70s rock, all good, nothing too crazy. I dig it, would definitely check out more by them.
This was very enjoyable. Quirky and different but very listenable. Hope to return.
I never realised 10cc's music was weird. I liked the variety and the lighthearted approach to their songs but it didn't really do particularly much for me. Rating: 3
Didn't really care for it. I was a little surprised, was expecting standard 70's rock.
Had a good time!
Self indulgent silly crap. Frenetic music made for the enjoyment of 10CC, but not the listener. I suffered through this and I am a lesser person because of it. Another “1” to go into the “will never listen again” category. How did this ever even get produced??
Not for me. Rather clowny music in my ears.
Just pop songs, that’s all. No idea how it gets labelled ‘influential’ or ‘must hear’. I could quite happily have not heard this album before I die.
It's like Supertramp playing songs that were cut from the Rocky Horror Picture Show soundtrack, only with dumber lyrics, and with musical nods to Brian Wilson. If there were even a hint of care or craft in the lyrics this would be a solid 4. But the music is too creative and unique to give it a 3.
Kitchen sink-type rock music. They are doing the most. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but it is consistently interesting to listen to.
Rock, Pop, 1974 -> 3
I nrecognised that one song J Dilla sampled, otherwise this was pretty tedious to middling.
I listened to it once and have absolutely nothing to say. I don't really want to listen to it again, but as a compromise I will, but on 2x speed Nah, still nothing. There's another way. I will slow it down instead. 0.1x speed Wow, you should hear the 0:48 part, the vocals potential is fully realised there I'm retarded and now my head hurts
Shiit Music
This is the sheet
ок
Bit dull
Loved this album -- played it back to back about 3 times as I was working and still haven't grown tired. The opener The Wall Street Shuffle sounds vaguely like The Who (circa It's Hard) with a satisfying production quality and slightly theatrical format. Instantly recognized The Worst Band In the World from J Dilla's Donuts (Workinonit). Love Dilla's sped up flip of the instrumental but the slowed down original stands alone great. Dope ass song with fantastic production. Hotel is a beachy sounding romp. Once again fantastic production -- love the vocal and guitar mixing (especially through the mid section). Clockwork Creep is a trip -- kind of errs in the direction of ELO with the campy composition. Baron Samedi has some very tasty fretwork. Honestly this one is just fun end-to-end. Maybe not the greatest album I've ever listened to, but a damned good time. High 4 / 5.
Never heard of these guys. the wall street shuffle is a fun jam. I like the vocals, 4 stars for me.
Love the bass and keys on this one. Really feels like a late 60's album but a bit more polished. Production feels so sharp.
Strange sounding album with a really weird singer. Started off sounding like Faces or something like that with some nice guitar. But then got quite weird. Still not horrible but probably a low 3
Had to double check this wasn't a parody band when Worst Band In The World came on. Not a bad song just caught me off guard. What a weird album Songs like Clockwork Creep I like but something just turns me off I can't really put my finger on it. Overall that was a pretty pleasant album. Got a little silly at certain points but also kinda endearing that it seemed like they didn't take themselves too seriously. Some solid 70's silly billy rock. Low 4.
Having a track called "The Worst Band in the World" on this garbaggio album is ragebait in the extreme.
Odd. Found some of the weird sounds in this quite interesting but the songs & 70s production didn’t really sell this to me as an album. Too many styles thrown together here for me to keep track. A mixed bag.
Far too clever for its own liking.
Very English, Very 1974 - Prog Pop. Very bitty. Very pleased with itself. Clever-clever.
Not too bad, some of it rocked. Not really my style.
An innovative prog pop/rock album.
Bummer that this doesn’t have their hits. But it was nice of them to warn us in the title. It is indeed sheeeeeet music. This feels very much like a parody record. Like, they were just trying to make each other laugh by making the weirdest, cheesiest pop album. It’s Zappa, but with less disdain for the audience. These are well-trained musicians, making intentionally asinine prog pop, with perfect production standards. This would be brilliant, if it wasn’t so bad.
Gear: Focal Clear (ZMFed) Artwork: 🟨🚉🎨 Production: 😐🙂👌 Music: 🎹🎸🎤🧪🤯😵💫 Rating: 🟨🟨/5
Absolutely no complaints about this one. Just a very straight forward rock album that's great at what it does.
Tried to like this one, but it just didn't go far enough for me. The vocals are generally off-putting and the overall direction is a bit too abstract for my liking. I enjoyed some of the lyrics, but wasn't invested in listening too closely
This was a pleasant album!
"Sheet Music" is the second album by English band 10cc. The Wiki-listed genres are art pop, pop rock, avant pop and progressive pop. Yeah, they all fit. 10cc are Eric Stewart, Graham Gouldman, Kevin Godley and Lol Creme. They all co-wrote the songs with every possible combination of all four band members. They also all take turns on lead and backing vocals and playing the instruments which include guitars, bass, drums, various percussion instruments, piano, organ, mellotron, bells, synths and more. Commercially, the album hit #9 in the UK and #81 in the UK. "The Wall Street Shuffle" opens the album. A power rock guitar riff, prancing piano and mellotron. Stewart on lead vocals but there are various member backing vocals throughout. Tounge-and-cheek lyrics on making money on Wall St. And we're not nearly done with the tongue and cheek. Enter "The Worst Band in the World." It's slower with drums. Guitar slashes. This is a Lol Creme song. Very avant garde. Very Zappa-esque. An eerie synth with bird and space noises begins "Hotel." It then switches to a Carribean sounding-song with an acoustic guitar, a funky bass, bongos and congas. Godfrey with a falsetto singing about buying a hotel. Lots of coconut references. All four band members take turn on lead vocals in "Clockwork Creep." The music is antsy as the lyrics describe the final minutes in a countdown of a bomb detonating on a jumbo jet. The band let's loose in "Silly Love." A fast pace and a heavy guitar. Their most rockin' song. Bells chiming and a piano open the dramatic "Somewhere in Hollywood." This song goes all over the place. It's dreamy in parts. There's a wah-wah guitar. It's the story of a woman making it or maybe not making it as an actress in Hollywood. I'm not sure what I just listened to. I found this album interestingly confusing. The music, vocals and lyrics reminded me of a combination of Sparks, Frank Zappa and Queen. I think the lyrics are more tongue-in-cheek than parody. There's no doubt these guys can sing and play instruments. The songs change styles through the album and sometimes within songs. I'd like to give this album a few more spins to see if there's anything deeper but I'm too exhausted. Some may this album brilliant. Some may hate it. And some may be confused like me. Listen to it and see where you fall....or not.
Going into this, I only knew "I'm Not in Love" from the Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack. What a fun album. I really liked it, which is no surprise for an album described as "art pop" and "progressive pop." I read the band worked more collaboratively than ever before and stopped recognizing boundaries and I think that really let the songs shine.
I kept going back and forth about whether this was too dorky or not. This was kinda a thing in the mid70’s and it’s easy to tip just a bit too far. Queen and Harry Nilsson walk that tightrope perfectly to me. 10cc and Steely Dan are just a bit too into the dork category while still being very good musicians.
Most of it was good and reminded me of the Beatles.
a little too quirky at times, but overall a fine listen
From the moment they implied a swear word they are too chicken to use, I knew this would be a wishy-washy disappointment of an album. Well sung, decent musicianship, but boring and heartless.
I own this album, but I didn't buy it and I'm not sure I would have listened to it if it wasn't in my collection. 10cc is best known for the radio hit, "I'm Not In Love", which isn't on Sheet Music and I have to admit I wasn't a fan. Apart from a few singles on Sheet Music, Wall Street Shuffle, Silly Love, Worst Band...", the album is a bit thin and has more filler than killer. Wall Street Shuffle might even be my favourite 10cc song and I appreciate the humor and sarcastic view of the band, but it's not enough to provide a solid enough record to justify being on this list. I good album, but far from essential.
If I was making music in the mid-seventies, I’m sure it would sound like this. That said, I hate it.
Honestly so horrible and not funny at all
Didn't feel that this was actually that strong
ну угареха же, залупенцы зарубежные ругаются. а возможно зря
I like 10CC but found this boring and un-inspiring. Trivia note: I understand the 10CC represents the average amount of male ejaculation at climax.
Some musics had a good vibe but not all of them.
Not often do i find an album that makes me think "what the hell did I just listen to?" I think this is one of the most unique albums we've heard so far. Really unpredictable. I thought i was listening to the radio.. so many genres. Some songs were really good, some others not that much. I think this is a 3.5
Beatlesque, and I wish there was a bit more variety per song
A bit weird, a bit interesting
Had quite low expectations given the title name, but not too bad after all PS it got bad PPS and then better PPPS what a roller-coaster
This was odd, it was sometimes really eccentric and fun, other times quite bland. First half of the album was the best and it got progressively worse I think. There were lots of little bits I like but not many full songs so I don't think I'd come back. 2.5.
After reading about the band and the members, the album starts to make sense. All were multi-instrumentalists, singers, and producers. This album veers between boring pop, quite innovative concept rock, and "reggae". The Wall Street Shuffle and Baron Samedi stuck out, however the rest largely passed me by. Reminds me of a blander Yes.
Really didn't know what to expect from this and did not enjoy it at all really..... I know dreadlock holiday, which is good, but not on here unfortunately. Not really sure who this is for, but it ain't me!
brings me back to my 6a mopey prog/album rock phase
It was surprisingly good.
I'm not sure if this benefits from my J Dilla bias, but I enjoyed this. It's a little all over the place, but I kind of don't mind it here. It feels like what my music might sound like if I knew a little more music theory and just let the ADHD do the talking. Also, maybe I'm crazy, but I'm hearing some Nilsson influence in a few of these tracks. Weird to hear that coupled with distorted guitars more akin to Kiss or T Rex. And then there are the pseudo-yacht rock vocal elements. This is wild, but I'm here for it.
不好说（
It’s kind of silly and self deprecating which I always like but I don’t know how much I like this. 2.5
I had my headphones at max volume previously for a Zoom meeting and accidentally blew my eardrums out with mid-tier yacht rock. I can't think of a worse way to go deaf.
I wanted to like this but it's a bit of a shambles really. I like 10cc, they are clearly having fun but this is very etherial. Maybe I need another listen or two.
I love a lot of 10cc music, but this is not my album.
Some ok tracks but not really anything memorable.
I didn't think I would like it at first, but it grew on me.
Interesting album. Decent listen
some okay glam dad rock. I like worst band in the world and somewhere in hollywood. wall street shuffle is dumb but catchy. Kind of like a Sparks mixed with some ELO or T. Rex.
This album was mid, idk if they just release playful songs and accidentally release a banger once in a while. 2.5
Another band I know exists and that's about it. According to my Last.fm stats, I listened to one of their song, three times. Well that was a handful. It seems the band had no direction whatsoever, they just made music in what ever style and direction they please. I think the first track had a guitar tone I really liked, aggressive low grumble, but it never came up again. The whole album is all over the place, I mean with better guitar sound and fuller production, the song "Baron Samedi" could be a Santana track. There are few great songs on this, but for the most part I find it too scattered. It's like listening to a mixtape, but all tracks are played by the same band. It's kind of unsettling. I just realized this is the band with that hit song "I don't like reggae, I love it" a.k.a. "Dreadlock Holiday". Holy shit.
🎧Eccentric, fun pop-rock. Can see how this was pretty adventurous and “out there” for 1974. I feel like The Lemon Twigs really like this album. The Sacro-Iliac might be my new favorite novelty “dance song.”
A little too much "rock opera" for my taste.
“It's one thing to know it but another to admit We're the worst band in the world”
CHYANGE YORE MINDDDDD
Very original sounding band. Very keen on them although this isn't one of their best albums. The singles that were released from it are actually the best tracks from the album, which isn't always the case, in this instance it was.
One good single ("The Wall Street Shuffle") isn't enough to rescue this mix of pretentious waffle and "show tunes".
Er, I honestly don’t know what to make of this one. I’m not averse to a bit of quirkiness but I’m not really feeling their sense of humour and it does go a bit musical theatre at times. Want to give it a 2.5
just ok.
Inner Beavis and Butthead: “They call this “sheet music”? Hehe heheh heheh I guess they got that right.” A “best of” 10cc tape did a lot of time in my dad’s car, so “The Wall Street Shuffle” and “Silly Love” default to the I’ll-never-be-a-child-again-o-god-innocence bucket. Those two songs are silly, but pretty cool. I listened to this album twice and conclude that the rest of the songs are silly, but not cool. I just learned 10cc were from Stockport; maybe five years after my dad’s tape was retired, we moved to a village ten miles south of this post-industrial town which became a place for me to buy music. What were my first purchases from Our Price, Stockport? “Sister” by Sonic Youth and “Pigpile” by Big Black. Time is spaghetti thrown against the wall. 10cc produced at least one masterpiece, the eerie “I’m not in love”, a freak accidents where studio tinkering created something unlike anything else.
I've always kinda hated 10cc, and this is a good example of why. Weak tunes that have lots of different (but pointless) sections, crappy schoolboy "funny" lyrics delivered as if they were written by Noel Coward or something, all with jokey, vaguely-racist overtones. They are the anti-ELO; trying so hard to be clever and virtuosic but ending up cheesy, awkward and boring as shit. As if Noel Edmonds and Dave Lee Travis formed a band. Pretty fucking irritating, saved from a 1* due to their Strawberry Studios legacy. I fear this list will have more albums from these losers
I didn't dislike it but wondered why it is here.
If you put it on wouldn’t hate it but I don’t see myself going out of my way to listen to it
A good listen all around that doesn't overdo it anywhere.
Interesting, very prog a bit Supertrampy but quite enjoyable. That's why I've heard of these guys, they made the cricket song.
Like progressive, art, glam rock. Like mixing ELO, Supertramp and Slade together
Filled an hour long didi ride, might listen to it again, might not.
Ovo je jako intersantan i eklektičan bend. Nisam ovaj album sluša prije
3/5
Great rhythm.
Never really checked out these guys before and now I don't know why. No natural fanbase in US maybe? Anyway, fun stuff and I look forward to getting to know them better.
I've never heard of them nor heard them before, and while it's not earth-shattering it's entertaining and oddly eclectic. I'm not sure I'd go as far as to say that this album was "perhaps the most widely adventurous album" of 1974, but then again I don't know 1974 music very well, and there's certainly more range on this album than the opening track would suggest (although I think "The Wall Street shuffle" is probably their best on this album, closely followed by the last song "Oh Effendi"). I liked the hints of Elton John (mainly in the "Worst band in the world"), Simon & Garfunkel or maybe just Simon (mainly with "Hotel"), maybe a bit of early Queen ("Silly love" and "Baron Samedi") and some bits of Yes/ELP/Genesis (especially with "Somewhere in Hollywood", although it's mainly just some weird prog cabaret nonsense (so maybe *exactly* Yes/ELP/Genesis), Billy Joel ("Oh Effendi") and others in various songs, but it often felt a bit like a novelty album as they ping-pong from genre to genre. I *am* surprised that we didn't get one of their albums with a major hit (like their instantly recognizable "I'm not in love"), but maybe this had the right kind of medley for the book's editors? Reading about how they created and funded their Strawberry Studios explains a lot about this album, though. Apparently they convinced a couple of bubblegum-pop producers to use their studio for three months straight and use them as session musicians, and they churned out dozens of apparently horrid songs with random titles and band names, and were able to upgrade the studio with the proceeds. It feels a bit like they never quite got out of that mode in making "Sheet Music".
Never heard this album and have only barely heard of this band--for some reason I associated them with that song "Afternoon Delight" which I now realize was completely wrong. The Wall Street Shuffle is deliciously dated, and I think that's how I'd describe this entire album. Now I'm on Baron Samedi and wtf is this? Ditto with Effendi. Got to love the smooth guitar stylings and the drums throughout are suave. This album illustrates the thin line between awful and awesome. Great album to put on during a drive to blow a friend's mind.
Sure! I'm glad they had fun Didn't hate this, didn't love it. I organised paperwork during it, and that felt right. 2.75/5 Added Wall Street Shuffle to my playlist. A good choice to begin the album with that one I'd say The Saro-Iliac was a fun song as well. A late addition to the playlist
Despite the production being dated, the music felt really modern. It wouldn't be out of place with much alt/indi kinda rock today. Good vibes.
Weitab vom Einheitsbrei, jeder Song ein eigenes musikalisches Erlebnis! Klasse!
Love anything by 10cc
Had never heard of them. Not a fan. Sounded like the soundtrack from an off Broadway musical.
Never heard this before. I wasn't expecting this. Interesting that this album came out in 1974, the year before Queen released A Night at the Opera. This album bears a lot of similarities. Inventive, interesting, and very listenable. Although no true classics emerge, I'm glad I've heard the album and will listen to it again.
3/5. I read the wiki and saw this was heavily inspired by Paul McCartney and I thought I was listening to a side project until about halfway through. Now I enjoy Paul every now and then but it's not the best style of music and an album dedicated to that sound that isn't McCartney feels weird. The songs were good and enjoyable but I don't think it's perfect or even for me all the time. I would recommend to anyone who likes the Beatles, or Queen even, but that's it. It's fun as part of a playlist but the whole album can be a little jarring. Best Song: The Worst Band In The World, Wall Street Shuffle, Baron Samedi
I knew 10CC were always held in high regard for their early stuff as being quite artsy. But never heard anything beyond the hits. "Things We Do For Love" etc. This album surprised me. I enjoyed it. It was a bit strange and humurous and clearly they dont take themselves too seriously. A fun album.
This was pretty awful - not sure what it is doing here
Well, the second song on this album certainly made me sit up and listen, since it supplies the samples for a J Dilla song off Donuts. The rest of the album was fine. It didn't blow me away, but it was interesting enough 3/5
Wasn't feeling it at 1st, but it really grows on you. Strong craving for donuts, currently working on it.
actually pretty whimsical, didn’t know 10cc was silly like that, while i did love and enjoy this, it’s gonna be a low 4 for me just because i’m not sure i would personally take any of these songs with me, but if i had heard this in freshman year or during my tally hall frenzy, this might have changed me
Pre-listening thoughts: YAY 10cc!!!! Post/during listening thoughts: everyone in the reviews said “this is stupid and lacks substance” and I agree. But god that’s why I love it. It’s just quirky rock and I don’t need anything more from it. This is such a predecessor to bands like They Might be Giants, Tally Hall, etc. I understand that this music is not for everyone but man I definitely fall into this niche. I feel like I’ve been giving a lot of 5s and high scores recently but whoops this is another 5 stars! 9/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: not necessarily I guess but very much enjoyed this one Fav tracks: this is a no skip album Least fav tracks:
A good and interesting album, I liked The Wall Street Shuffle and Clockwork Creep the most.
Favorite Track: The Worst Band In The World
Strange and different but alright to listen to. Low 3*
Almost sounded like a parody
Honestly I found it a bit irritating to listen to. It's trying to do way too much. 2.0 stars
Just the right amount of whimsy and eclectic style to fuck my shit up.
If you came looking for songs like I’m not in love you’ll be disappointed much like I was
Favourite tracks: worst band in the world; wall street shuffle; silly love
Goofy album, kinda gave MGMT vibes. Didn't think I would like at first but ended up enjoying quite a bit! Fav song: Baron Samedi
Saved Prior: None Off Rip: The Wall Street Shuffle, The Worst Band In The World, Hotel, Clockwork Creep, Baron Samedi Cutting Edge: None Overall Notes: When the band with a dude who goes by "Lol Creme" that joked that they were named after the average amount of semen is making goofy ass music :0
Yucky
Mid
original songs but not 4 yet
If you liked this, you might also like: Brian Eno, Talking Heads, Jack Stauber, and Harry Nilsson.
Everything needs to be viewed in context, and in 1974 some amazing bands were releasing amazing music - and then there is this festering turd that creates the new genre of annoyance pop. Sadly it’s much better than most music today but in 74 not so much.
??? wasn’t particularly offended by this but pretty random and i don’t know why it’s included in this - even 10cc themselves have better albums LOL no standouts tbh, every song felt like 67 ideas all thrown into one
A surprisingly good album!! Had never heard about the band before, but way better than your average 70s rock band!
Like a more pretentious less talented Queen of the same era
Terminally 70s rock music that also takes itself not at all seriously. As a result you have a fun album that is however a bit dumb and unnecessarily self-deprecating, which is forgivable.
it had some weird bits.
i think these guys should have written a musical or something it feels like that’s what they really wanted to do here. some of the melodies are kinda fun but they are just patently silly overall. THESE ARE NOT SERIOUS PEOPLE. they sound like if the who and the beach boys had a really annoying and mid baby. also whoa that song hotel is pretty racist!
i have zero thoughts on this actually. the only actual real thought is that it sounded a lot like Queen. i don't think i needed to hear this before i died
There are five songs worth of ideas in each track and they somehow manage to make it work half the time which is fairly impressive. 3/5
So close to a 5, this album was so weird and funky and catchy. Not feeling a true 5, but it’s so close.
Just can’t get into it
I really appreciated the uniqueness of this album. This band was clearly trying to experiment with sounds and arrangements. There are some good songs e.g. "The Wall Street Shuffle" and "Clockwork Creep". There is also a lot of stuff that doesn't *really* work. But overall – very nice to hear something that isn't the usual 60s/70s/80s rock/pop.
Chill, easy to listen to. Doesn't feel ground breaking, but good for long drives or a backyard BBQ. Some of it is forgettable.
Reminds me so much of 2010s wacky internet music like Tally Hall and Lemon Demon. Fucking insane that this is from 1974. I like it a lot. Very pleasant surprise, never even heard of these lads. Rest in peace 10cc, you would have loved Skibidi Toilet.
The Wall Street Shuffle // The Worst Band In The World // 2.5/5
Wel lachen, weer wat anders. Niet persé heel vet
This was just weird and not in a cool way.
Albumi #67, 03.10.2024 70-luvun alun progressiivista poppia soittava 10cc oli tuntematon yhtye tähän saakka. Tämä on heidän kakkosalbuminsa vuodelta 1974. Ihan jänniä ja jopa monimutkaisia sävellyksiä sekä hassuja sanoituksia, mutta ei mitään ahaa-elämyksiä noin yleisesti progressiivisen musiikin kentässä.
This is basically the worst part of a lot of really good bands — the flat ballads of Alan Parsons, the boomer blues of Toto and the overly quirky showtunes from ABBA. It came before all of them, so thank you for almost ruining my favourite bands. Still a well-made record though, but it wouldn't hurt to take yourselves a bit more seriously.
The lyrics and music seemed very quirky. But not in a great way. It’s hard to believe this is the “I’m Not In Love” band. It definitely is one of those “of the time” albums. It was just kinda meh for me. Second side was better than the first. Top tracks: “Somewhere In Hollywood,” “Baron Samedi” Too tracks:
Almost as good as the album from Sparks (Kimono My House) that came out in the same year. Felt like similar glam / art rock style with a lot of cheeky lyrics and fun energy. I think Sparks' album was better - at least more consistent - but dang if this album doesn't have some high points. The Wall Street Shuffle is a nice opener with a little harder rock sound (made me think a bit of ELO and Out of the Blue) and The Worst Band in the World is a good follow-up - quirky as hell but I dug it. Hotel dragged until they got through the 90s intro, then felt like an irreverent Paul Simon song. But man oh man the combo of Clockwork Creep and Silly Love to end side one and start side two - they absolutely ROCK! Solidified the Sparks feel for me too. The former is as fun and cheeky as This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us and is also killer on the piano, giving it such a great beat. The latter has more guitar and it just buzzes. The rest of side two is up and down. Somewhere in Hollywood is a bit grander or more baroque in style, but not bad while Baron Samedi reminded me a bit of early Queen and was alright. What's funny is that unlike Sparks I have heard of these guys before because I know a few of their singles that came out a couple years later (I'm Not in Love, The Things We Do for Love). But now that I know this album I don't want to associate them with those sappier songs, where if they're trying to be cheeky it's not so clear. This album is way cooler; deliciously eccentric. Probably closer to a 3.5 than anything but rounding up for the fun factor. And those two incredible songs in the middle of the album.
I don't think that there's a weak song here, yet nothing stands out as a hit song. Sheet Music's just a solid album that I would listen to again. In the end, this surprised me.
Worst Band in the World is a good song. Started off really fun but just got worse. Biddly music
Great sound. No singles like a lot of these albums so I guess they never took off for that reason
An interesting listen, but not outstanding in my opinion. Hotel was the only song that really grabbed me. It’s still probably the best album from 10cc that I’ve listened to, and not bad by any stretch, but it doesn’t offer much to me even after a couple listens.
I won’t lie, I was excited to realize that one of these songs formed the basis for one of my favorite J Dilla tracks. But that was the high point of my listening experience.
Pretty weird, eclectic album from the band who did "I'm Not in Love" and "Things We Do For Love." There was some decent and amusing stuff here. I liked the line in The Sacro-Iliac, "Don't want to annoy ya with my paranoia."
goodp
Before recently coming across 10cc on the music lists I’ve been working through, I hadn’t heard of them, but I really enjoyed this album. Sheet Music blends Art Rock, Prog Rock, and Glam Rock, all within a pop structure. The music is playful, lighthearted, and has plenty of tongue-in-cheek moments. Even though it feels quirky and fun, it still showcases inventive and skilled musicianship. If you’re into bands like Frank Zappa, B-52’s, Devo, or Ween, this album should definitely be on your radar.
I remember getting this album back in the day because I thought I liked 10cc, I checked it out of the library and returned it the next day.
Well that's answered the question that no one was asking: "what if we took the bad parts of the White Album and wrote an album along those lines". Poor man. Very very poor.
This band sucks
9/10. Fantastic album. Almost every song made the playlist. Loved it.
Good, weird lyrics. Good!!
dont love it as much as their 70s albums
When I first heard “Sheet Music”, prog-rock and camp theatrical music were totally my thing. I adored Queen and had committed every one of their albums to memory. I couldn’t get enough of Genesis’s mythical storytelling, ELO’s instrumental excess, Kate Bush’s pantomime tendencies, and so on. And yet, this sophomore album by 10cc left me mostly cold. About nine years later, I still really like all the other aforementioned bands, but this album remains an utter mixed bag for me. If I was ever going to love it, I think it would have happened a long time ago. On the plus side, the musicianship is remarkably assured, with particular praise going to Eric Stewart for his guitar solos (great all round, but especially in “Hotel”, “Old Wild Men”.) All four band members tag in and out on lead and backing vocals, which are skilfully done, and they all play an impressive range of instruments which gives the album a dense palate. The best songs here are the ones which don’t resort to gimmickry: “The Wall Street Shuffle” is an impressive opening with a good balance between hard-glam and Broadway theatre, while “Silly Love”, “Somewhere In Hollywood” and “The Sacro-Iliac” all have their moments across their berserk journeys. So, the main problem? Without a doubt, the humour. If you’ve ever been unfortunate enough to be trapped in a conversation with a budding stand-up comic, you’ll know how they treat every line of dialogue like a punchline, every single interaction as a trial for their next show. It quickly becomes exhausting, and I have the same feeling listening to “Sheet Music”. Only, 10cc come across especially obnoxious, because they’re trying to prove their superior senses of humour while also showing off their (admittedly very impressive) musical proficiency. Musical ideas don’t stick around for long at all before we zoom giddily along to the next one. I don’t normally mind this kind of eclecticism, but something about the band’s delivery makes the constant hopping around feel contrived and hollow. “The Worst Band In The World” draws out a tedious gag around profanity (tee-hee, they almost said “shit!” But then they didn’t! Har-har-har!!!) “Hotel” swings into a calypso leaning rhythm with some fairly alarming racist undertones; “Old Wild Men” has the gall to take aim at Led Zeppelin for being washed up; then there’s “Clockwork Creep”: a great concept (a song from the perspective of a bomb on an aeroplane) ruined by its incredibly irritating vocal line and “tick tock tick tock” refrain. Just blow the damn thing up. So, camp tongue-in-cheek humour, emotional songs and musical pay-off. The more I listen to “Sheet Music”, the more I realise it’s an alarmingly fine line, and I’m sorry to say 10cc don’t quite manage to walk it here.
Solve for c: (Queen+ELO)² - (Freddy Mercury+Jeff Lynne)² + (0.9 x Santana) 10cc = __________________________________________________________________ Musical Theater + "Art" + Prog Rock Show your work.
What a strange discovery! I only knew I'm Not in Love from 10cc. I thought they were like a yacht rock band or something. This is like Sparks and Queen. It also really reminded me of the album Congratulations by MGMT in that the songs are constantly shifting and not taking themselves too seriously. I feel like I need to listen to this a few more times to really get it. I'm thinking a 3.5. I'm going with a 4 because of how much it surprised me. I may end up reevaluating it lower.
Another subpar British band. Some of it's kinda fun, but none of it is a must listen.
Started off kinda standard but I enjoyed it more over time. Doesn't take itself too seriously at all, sometimes reminiscent of Queen or ELO.
Got though half of this album before giving up. Unlike the timeless albums from the 70s by bands like Led Zep and Pink Floyd this sounds very dated. It's no bad per se, but I really couldn't get into it 2/5
they definitely had fun with it standout track: the wall street shuffle
Good fun, for sure. I'd never listened to 10cc before, and I regret that now.
An album if Queen/Sparks rejected b-sides.
Really enjoyed it. Had some fun experimental beats and sounds. Led Zeppelin II vibes. 4/5!
I really wanted to like this album, because the group showed a lot of promise throughout the record. Unfortunately it feels like when they were asked what direction they wanted to take the album, they just said “YES”. The sound is all over the place, and not just track to track, which wouldn’t have been as big of an issue. The problem is that many of the songs are jumping around in style and with no flow to it, just jarring transitions. This just feels like wasted potential, and sadly not an album you must hear before you die.